The VDMA and other associations are urging the German government and the European Commission to quickly ensure legal certainty and find long-term political solutions.
The EU Commission has published a proposal for a regulation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). AI in machines may also be affected as "high risk AI", for example when it comes to safety components.
The EU-Commission has launched a consultation on the Data Act. This law, which is to be passed this year, aims among other things to facilitate access to company data.
The digital age also requires the automation of business transactions. This requires pre-formulated contractual terms. German AGB law stands in the way of this.
The Covid-19 pandemic raises many issues, such as employment and contract law and tax law. In addition, there are numerous requirements for travel.
For work assignments within Europe, the three topics of "reporting requirements", "social law: A1 certificate" and "labour law: posting directive" are increasingly coming into focus.
As a result of the amendment to the Money Laundering Act, companies are obliged to enter information on the beneficial owner in the transparency register.
Employer is not entitled to reduce recreational leave in proportion to the annual working days in case of short-time work, if there is no short-time work "zero" at the basis.
On 11 June 2021, the Bundestag passed the Supply Chain Duty of Care Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, LkSG). The final referral of the law by the Bundesrat could take place on 25 June 2021.
The Federal Labour Court leaves the question on the scope of the right to copy data open, but at least requires a specific cause of action.
The Higher Regional Court of Cologne (Case No.: 1 U 9/21) has ruled that a cancellation of hotel rooms booked before the outbreak of the pandemic justifies a 50/50 split of the booking costs.
Millions of people use elevators every day - but how safe is it in times of a pandemic? The latest episode of the VDMA's industry podcast is about infection-free use of lifts during the Corona pandemic. Even simple measures can make elevators safer for people.
The Bundestag has passed the second law on executive positions. In future, large companies in Germany will have to give greater consideration to women when filling positions at the highest management level.
The EU Commission is drawing its lessons from the Corona pandemic. From the VDMA's point of view, it is clear that only open markets and global partnerships contribute to economic recovery.
As of May 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of State has expanded opportunities for business travel to the United States. Travel opportunities for VDMA member companies will improve significantly as a result.
Brussels has reformed the export control of dual-use goods. For mechanical engineering, hardly anything changes, but: The new version of the Dual-Use Regulation has - once again - become more complicated.
The Supply Chain Act is as good as passed. The "Tech Affair - Industry for Future" podcast from the VDW shows just how divided opinions are on the subject with a pointed debate. In this case, a significantly involved politician is also on board when it comes to the question "Supply chains: Who's going to fix it?"
Competitiveness, sustainable growth and long-term employment security require adaptability to a dynamic environment and a flexible labour market.
The uncoordinated border closures during the Corona pandemic have shown that the internal market is not crisis-proof. It must be strengthened, which is why a new Schengen strategy is the right thing to do. Member States must seek European solutions.
Agreement reached by coalition partners on Supply Chain Due Diligence Act increases likelihood of passage in this legislative session.
The current cost development on the raw material markets puts VDMA members under pressure. Legal options for action are limited and associated with hurdles.
Since the introduction of the Trade Secrets Act, many VDMA members have been faced with quite challenging tasks in order to obtain legal protection of valuable information.
The EU has agreed on the introduction of an EU Covid certificate. This will facilitate freedom of movement, which is an advantage when companies send technicians to other EU member states, for example.
On 21 May 2021, the Bundestag passed the Act to Promote Works Council Elections and Works Council Work in a Digital Working World ("Works Council Modernisation Act").
Many affected machine builders have not yet noticed: anyone who produces even a small special component for armaments has been subject to investment auditing since May 1, 2021.
In April, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) presented a draft amendment to the law on fixed-term contracts, which in part further tightens the agreements of the coalition agreement.
From 07 June 2021, company doctors will also be involved in the decentralised COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The Regional Court of Cologne has ruled that the cancellation of a trade fair scheduled for March 2020 at the end of February 2020 was not culpably in breach of duty - despite the absence of an official order at the time.
The federal government has announced that it will involve company doctors in the vaccination strategy at the beginning of June. In order for the campaign against the Corona virus to gain further momentum, the promise must be implemented.
On the initiative of a group of companies, the "Stiftung Verantwortungseigentum" (Responsible Ownership Foundation) has been established to advocate for the creation of a special form of GmbH with tied assets.
Cooperation within Europe on digital policy must improve. The industry needs efficient political structures and competent contacts. And it needs a common, interoperable cloud and data infrastructure.
The EU should quickly agree on a single European vaccination passport and introduce the Digital Green Certificate across Europe. This would greatly facilitate the posting of workers within the EU.
End of the patchwork: Federal government standardizes regulations for entry and quarantine as of May 13, 2021. Some state regulations are still in force.
The Industrie 4.0 Platform provides members of the VDMA with a "Sample contract Industrie 4.0 platforms"
Reporting procedure, 90-day rule and wage calculation: VDMA info sheet provides practical tips for optimum planning of work assignments in Switzerland.
The Commission outlined its plan to introduce a voluntary single form for reporting the posting of workers. This could end the patchwork of reporting requirements.
From contact persons to support programmes: In connection with the corona virus, the federal states have compiled regionally specific information and assistance for companies.
The initial fog of the Brexit has lifted. To stay on the ball now in the machinery market in the UK, machine builders should keep an eye on current market developments. The updated UK Chartpack of the VDMA makes the most important developments visible. In particular, the recent progress of the Corona pandemic gives reason to hope for a rapid upswing.
The German Federal Supreme Court (BGH) has declared General Terms and Conditions (AGB) of a bank invalid in its ruling of 27.04.2021 (XI ZR 26/20).
Co-operation between companies and their workforces is firmly anchored within the culture of mechanical and plant engineering - and successfully so. But worker participation has its limits. Constantly making new claims to extend it is counterproductive.
At the end of 2020, the UK has left the EU with implications for the placing of products on the UK market. Among other things, the CE mark will be replaced by a UKCA mark in the future.
The trade agreement between the EU and the UK brings a little stability to the tense situation. But some things need to be renegotiated, for example the rules on the posting of workers.
Interventions in labour law intended to protect employees turn against the interests of employees in economically volatile times.
Belize becomes 168th member of UN Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
Portugal becomes 94th member of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG)
Government draft of the Transparency Financial Information Act Money Laundering brings further burdens for companies.
Different authority requirements: In addition to reporting obligations, notification obligations are also on the horizon!
For many companies in the mechanical engineering industry, the anonymization of personal data is a practical, albeit difficult, way to meet the requirements of data protection law.
Industry 4.0 applications are also subject to antitrust assessment: the publication of the Industry 4.0 Platform provides approaches and answers to this question.
The EU and US have agreed to intensify negotiations on the transatlantic data transfer
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